Contracts Counsel

HKS INC; Town of Texas, Fort Worth (WI, TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HKS, Inc. in Dallas is seeking a Contracts Counsel to join our Legal team. You will review and negotiate contracts for architectural and design services, while learning the firm’s standard positions and maintaining organized contract intake.

You will collaborate with project teams, assess legal and financial risk, and help improve contract processes. The role requires a JD, bar admission, and several years of construction or design sector experience, with strong analytical and communication

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school
• Member of the Bar in good standing required
• Professional degree in architecture or engineering, with licensure and/or design practice experience strongly preferred
• Typically with 5+ years of relevant legal experience
• Experience in MS Office and Adobe tools
• Knowledge of or a strong interest in federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and risk management practices relating to construction law and design professionals
• Excellent work ethic and eagerness to produce high quality, accurate results with natural sense of ownership for projects and duties
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with all levels of staff
• Strong legal research and presentation skills
• Ability to anticipate, manage, analyze, evaluate, and summarize legal issues and findings, and to present them in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to hold sensitive information with a high level of confidentiality and integrity
• Ability to organize and adapt to changing priorities, manage competing demands and meet deadlines, with high receptivity to feedback
• Ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise, and professional manner both verbally and in writingAbility to operate patiently and effectively in a fast-paced environmentAbility to collaborate in a team environment and work independently

Responsibilities

• Provides review and analysis of contractual matters and contract negotiation
• Creates and drafts legal documents as needed, and reviews legal documents prepared by firm staff
• Minimizes risks, maximizes value, and seeks means to improve efficiency and reduce costs
• Collaborates with project teams in reviewing contract scopes and advising on legal and financial risk of contracts
• Manages contract review system and seeks out efficiencies and improved methods for streamlining contract review operations
• Stays up to date and assists in the interpretation of the laws, regulations, and policies affecting the practice of architecture, engineering, and design services contracts
• Assists in the education of firm-wide staff in risk management and contract matters

Skills

Contract negotiation

Legal analysis

Legal research

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Juris Doctor Degree

Bar admission in good standing

Professional degree in architecture/engineering

Tools

MS Office

Adobe tools

Job description

Overview

HKS Dallas is seeking a Contracts Counsel to join our Legal team. Provides legal support for the review and negotiation of contracts for the delivery of architectural or design services and other business contracts. Learns and applies the firm’s key contract positions, delivers thorough contract review and analysis, and manages contract intake and organization. Communicates clearly with project teams and firm leadership, adapts to shifting priorities, and identifies and resolves problems proactively.

Responsibilities

• Provides review and analysis of contractual matters and contract negotiation
• Creates and drafts legal documents as needed, and reviews legal documents prepared by firm staff
• Minimizes risks, maximizes value, and seeks means to improve efficiency and reduce costs
• Collaborates with project teams in reviewing contract scopes and advising on legal and financial risk of contracts
• Manages contract review system and seeks out efficiencies and improved methods for streamlining contract review operations
• Stays up to date and assists in the interpretation of the laws, regulations, and policies affecting the practice of architecture, engineering, and design services contracts
• Assists in the education of firm-wide staff in risk management and contract matters

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school
• Member of the Bar in good standing required
• Professional degree in architecture or engineering, with licensure and/or design practice experience strongly preferred
• Typically with 5+ years of relevant legal experience
• Experience in MS Office and Adobe tools
• Knowledge of or a strong interest in federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and risk management practices relating to construction law and design professionals
• Excellent work ethic and eagerness to produce high quality, accurate results with natural sense of ownership for projects and duties
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with all levels of staff
• Strong legal research and presentation skills
• Ability to anticipate, manage, analyze, evaluate, and summarize legal issues and findings, and to present them in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to hold sensitive information with a high level of confidentiality and integrity
• Ability to organize and adapt to changing priorities, manage competing demands and meet deadlines, with high receptivity to feedback
• Ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear, concise, and professional manner both verbally and in writingAbility to operate patiently and effectively in a fast-paced environmentAbility to collaborate in a team environment and work independently

Employer Information

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran

HKS is a global firm of architects, designers, planners and advisors who create places noted for their beauty and performance. Our 1,600 people in 29 offices are united by the belief that an environmental, social and governance approach to design achieves design excellence. In 2023, we became a carbon neutral firm. We value honesty, diversity and inclusion and we celebrate creative thinking. In partnership with our clients and collaborators, we craft powerful ideas and solutions. Together we create places that stand apart.

HKS, Inc. provides reasonable accommodation in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities.

EEO is the Law and Supplement. The following link is the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination policy statement.